Tawanda Maswanhise: Motherwell FC relieved to keep Zimbabwean

Motherwell FC manager Jens Bertherl Askou has revealed how they struggled to keep red-hot Zimbabwean striker Tawanda Maswanhise in the January transfer window.

The 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) discovery attracted interest from teams such as Blackburn Rovers FC of England and Belgian side Anderlecht.

Loving life in ML1 😊

Tawanda Maswanhise has been named in the SPFL Team of the Week. pic.twitter.com/vx5j2Bp7Bx

— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) February 3, 2026

Ahead of his team’s Scottish Premiership match against Dundee United on Wednesday, the Dane told the BBC that he was relieved by the closure of the transfer window.

“Obviously, he has attracted an extreme amount of interest from all over the world, I would say, and also from the UK, and a little bit earlier than we expected and that maybe he expected,” Askou said.

“I think may be a little bit relieved that he doesn’t have to speculate about that any more because he is happy to be here. And he knows that there is a big chance for him to be top scorer in the league, which is a second ambition of his. The first one is to do as well as possible with the team.”

How Motherwell managed to keep Maswanhise

The Motherwell boss added that his team was able to withstand the pressure of letting go Maswanhise because the potential suitors could not match the price tag placed on the player.

“There have been offers but they have not been at an amount that is anywhere near the valuation that we put on him. So, it has been very easy just to say, ‘well, no, now is not the time and not to change the plans that we have made,” he said.

The Zimbabwe international is now the Scottish Premiership’s top scorer with 13 goals.

The Warriors forward has maintained a rich vein of form, scoring in every game for his club until last Saturday when his brace helped Motherwell to a 2-0 victory over Livingston FC.

The 26-year-old was a late revelation for Zimbabwe at the AFCON finals in Morocco where he scored and provided an assist in his only first start in a game against South Africa. The Warriors lost 3-2 to Bafana Bafana to exit the competition from the group stage.

Tawanda Maswanhise Transfer Interest Highlights Rising Profile

The growing transfer interest in Tawanda Maswanhise underlines just how rapidly the Zimbabwean striker’s reputation has risen across European football. Since establishing himself as Motherwell’s leading scorer, Maswanhise has become one of the most talked-about forwards in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Clubs from England and Belgium monitoring his progress were drawn by his consistency in front of goal, physical presence, and ability to perform in high-pressure moments. His inclusion in the SPFL Team of the Week and status as the league’s top scorer further strengthened his appeal during the January transfer window.

For Motherwell, holding on to Maswanhise was not just about resisting financial temptation but about protecting the sporting ambitions they have built around the striker.

Why Motherwell Refused to Sell Maswanhise in January

Manager Jens Berthel Askou made it clear that Motherwell were never under pressure to sell unless their valuation was met. Despite multiple approaches, none of the interested clubs were prepared to match the asking price, allowing the Scottish side to remain firm in negotiations.

This stance reflects a wider strategy at Motherwell: rewarding form with trust rather than rushing players out the door. With Maswanhise chasing the league’s Golden Boot and Motherwell pushing for strong domestic finishes, keeping their top scorer was viewed as essential to maintaining momentum.

The closure of the transfer window has now allowed both club and player to refocus purely on football without distraction.